Curriculum, instruction, and promoting college and career readiness for incarcerated youth: A literature review.

Abstract

Access to high-quality curriculum and instruction is essential for all youth incarcerated in juvenile corrections facilities. In a landmark 2014 collaboration between the U.S. Departments of Education and Justice Guiding Principles for Providing High-Quality Education in Juvenile Justice Secure Care Settings were established. Principle independent variable (IV) identified the importance of access to rigorous and relevant curricula and evidence-based instruction that promotes college- and career-readiness. To explore research progress since publication of the Guiding Principles, a systematic review of research was conducted. The review identified eight peer-reviewed studies relevant to curriculum and instruction published since 2014. Employing a variety of research designs, the studies focused on literacy (n = 5) and instruction (n = 3). Quality indicators, based on modified forms of Mulcahy et al. (2016) single case design, Gersten et al. (2005) group design, and Miles et al. (2019) qualitative standards, were used to evaluate the studies. Results revealed a lack of replicable information pertinent to participants and intervention, as well as a lack of fidelity. Of grave concern is that only four of the participants included across all studies were female. Research that adheres to quality indicators, is described with replicable precision, and is representative of females is needed.

Providing high-quality education in juvenile corrections: Next steps.

“…The purpose of this discussion is to evaluate research progress since publication of the Guiding Principles (U. S. Departments of Education & Justice, 2014) based on our review of Principle II, III, and V in the current article. Discussion of research progress on Principle I (mental health: behavior: Gagnon et al, 2022) and Principle II (Hunter et al, 2021) are included in separate literature reviews in this special section and only summarized here. Based on these studies collectively, we address implications and directions for research, policy, and practice.…”

“…However, such a limited focus will not provide practitioners with the information they need to address the breadth of youth behavioral needs. Similarly, the review of studies related to Principle IV (Hunter et al, 2021, this special section) primarily focused on literacy and instruction. Again, worthy topics, but such a singular focus ignores academic areas, including science, technology, and mathematics, that are important for future youth success.…”

“…In Phase 1, four intervention studies (two group design, two single-subject research design [SSRD]), two qualitative studies, and two descriptive studies met inclusion criteria. In Phase 2, two decisions were made: (a) due to the small number of intervention studies, all identified studies were included ( n = 8); and (b) to ensure adequate synthesis, a separate literature review article was written or Principle IV (see Hunter et al, 2021, this special section).…”

“…Now, more than 5 years after issuing this historic document, we believe it is important to review the status of research related to these principles. As such, our purpose is to summarize the research, including brief sections on the principles for which separate literature reviews are included in this special section (Principle I: Gagnon et al, 2021a; Principle II: Hunter et al, 2021) and review of studies for Principles III and V, as well as to look at patterns across all of the reviewed studies. Based on this information, we chart a path forward, including recommendations for research, policy, and practice.…”

The imperative of high-quality education in juvenile corrections: An introduction to the special section.

“…Hunter et al (2022) focus their literature review on curriculum, instruction, and promoting college and career readiness for incarcerated youth. Eight studies are reviewed with two in each of the following: group design, SSRD, qualitative studies, and descriptive studies.…”